City issues permits for apartment complex, hotel

Mella McEwen

Published 12:32 pm, Friday, March 29, 2013

Construction should soon begin on a new apartment complex at 5001 W. Wadley Ave., next to Ranch House.

The city of Midland issued a $28 million permit for the 290-unit complex planned by Weidner Apartment Hopes. Spread over 15 buildings, it is expected to be similar to The Palms at Briarwood, also owned and operated by Weidner. There will be one, two and three-bedroom units.

To be built by McDougal Construction of Lubbock, construction is expected to take about 14 months.

The city of Midland also issued permits to build a Homewood Suites by Hilton hotel at 1401 Tradewinds Blvd. The 122-room hotel features one and two-bedroom and studio suites with fully-equipped kitchens, free high speed Internet access and dining tables that double as work desks. Business centers offer computers and printers and Homewood Suites also include workout centers and sports courts.

Devon Energy, which opened its 20,500-square-foot office at 10200 Younger Road near Midland International Airport in 2009, is expanding its offices.

The $2.5 million project will add 18,000 square feet, providing room for 60 new offices.

Cindy Allen, spokeswoman for Devon, noted that "We've had continuous growth in Midland" in explaining the expansion.

Construction, she said, is currently underway and should be completed by the end of August.

The original building design incorporated environmentally-friendly touches as HVAC ventilation units for efficient heating and cooling, automatic sensor lights to reduce energy use and energy-efficient appliances. Outdoors, the grounds utilize a drip irrigation system to reduce water use.

Just opened at 1115 Andrews Highway next door to The Pet Store is the Mary Smelser and Associates Allstate Insurance Agency.

"I am proud to be representing Allstate," Smelser says. "I look forward to serving the community with their insurance needs. It is a full-service agency, offering a complete line of insurance and financial products and services to the community."